A1 (Basic)

expensive

ex‧pen‧sive S1 W2 /ɪkˈspensɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[Word Family: noun: ↑expenditure, ↑expense, expenses; verb: ↑expend; adverb: ↑expensively ≠ ↑inexpensively; adjective: ↑expensive ≠ ↑inexpensive]
costing a lot of money OPP cheap:
the most expensive restaurant in town
Petrol is becoming more and more expensive.
Photography is an expensive hobby.
expensive to buy/run/produce/maintain etc
The house was too big and expensive to run.
For low-income families, children’s safety equipment can be prohibitively expensive (=so expensive that most people cannot afford it).
Employing the wrong builder can be a horribly expensive mistake.
Her husband had expensive tastes (=liked expensive things).
—expensively adverb:
She’s always expensively dressed.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adverbs
▪ quite/fairly expensive The food’s quite expensive, but it’s really nice.
▪ rather/pretty expensive (=more expensive than you expect) I think £1000 for a bed is rather expensive.
▪ very/extremely expensive We ate at a very expensive restaurant.
▪ astronomically/phenomenally expensive (=used to emphasize how expensive something is) Some new medical treatments are phenomenally expensive.
▪ hugely expensive (=extremely expensive, especially when you think something is too expensive) The building is hugely expensive to maintain.
▪ ridiculously/outrageously/horrendously expensive (=extremely expensive, in a way that seems shocking) Room service in the hotel was ridiculously expensive.
▪ extortionately expensive (=extremely expensive, in a way that is not fair or reasonable) Houses in some parts of London are extortionately expensive.
▪ prohibitively expensive formal (=too expensive, with the result that most people cannot afford to buy something) HIV medicines are still prohibitively expensive for sufferers in Africa.
■ verbs
▪ look expensive All of her clothes look very expensive.
▪ prove expensive Their decision could prove expensive.
■ nouns
▪ expensive tastes (=a desire to have things that are very expensive) His wife has very expensive tastes and his kids always want the latest things.
▪ an expensive mistake (=a mistake which results in someone having to spend a lot of money) Choosing the wrong builder turned out to be an expensive mistake.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ expensive costing a lot of money: an expensive car | Apartments in the city are very expensive. | An underground train system is expensive to build.
▪ high costing a lot of money.You use high about rents/fees/prices/costs. Don’t use expensive with these words: Rents are very high in this area. | Lawyers charge high fees. | the high cost of living in Japan
▪ dear [not before noun] British English spoken expensive compared to the usual price: £3.50 seems rather dear for a cup of coffee.
▪ pricey /ˈpraɪsi/ informal expensive: The clothes are beautiful but pricey.
▪ costly expensive in a way that wastes money: Upgrading the system would be very costly. | They were anxious to avoid a costly legal battle.
▪ cost a fortune informal to be very expensive: The necklace must have cost a fortune!
▪ exorbitant /ɪɡˈzɔːbətənt, ɪɡˈzɔːbɪtənt $ -ɔːr-/ much too expensive: Some accountants charge exorbitant fees.
▪ astronomical astronomical prices, costs, and fees are extremely high: the astronomical cost of developing a new spacecraft | the astronomical prices which some people had paid for their seats | The cost of living is astronomical.
▪ overpriced too expensive and not worth the price: The DVDs were vastly overpriced.
▪ somebody can’t afford something someone does not have enough money to buy or do something: Most people can’t afford to send their children to private schools.

tight

I. tight¹ S2 W3 /taɪt/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative tighter, superlative tightest)
[Word Family: adverb: ↑tight, ↑tightly; verb: ↑tighten; noun: ↑tightness; adjective: ↑tight]
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: thight 'closely packed, solid, thick' (14-19 centuries), probably from a Scandinavian language]
1. CLOTHES tight clothes fit your body very closely, especially in a way that is uncomfortable OPP loose:
tight jeans
My shoes were so tight that I could hardly walk.
The jacket is rather a tight fit (=it fits too tightly).
2. PULLED/STRETCHED FIRMLY string, wire, cloth etc that is tight has been pulled or stretched firmly so that it is straight or cannot move:
The bandage must be tight enough to stop the bleeding.
She tied the rope around the post and pulled it tight.
3. ATTACHED FIRMLY a screw, lid etc that is tight is firmly attached and difficult to move:
Check that the screws are tight.
4. HOLDING SOMETHING FIRMLY a tight hold/grip if you keep or have a tight hold on something, you hold it firmly:
His mother kept a tight hold on his hand.
5. STRICT controlling something very strictly or firmly:
The government is keeping tight control on immigration.
keep a tight grip/hold/rein on something (=control it very firmly)
The former dictator still keeps a tight grip on power.
Anna was determined to keep a tight hold on her feelings.
Security is always tight for the opening day of parliament.
run/keep a tight ship (=manage a company, organization etc strictly and effectively)
6. LITTLE MONEY if money is tight, you do not have enough of it
money is tight/things are tight
Money was tight and he needed a job badly.
As you know, I run the magazine on a pretty tight budget.
7. LITTLE TIME if time is tight, it is difficult for you to do everything you need to do in the time available:
Time is tight, and she has another meeting to go to this afternoon.
We should arrive on time, but it’ll be tight.
As usual, his schedule on Saturday was tight (=he had arranged to do several things in a short time).
I'm working to a very tight deadline (=I have to finish a piece of work very quickly).
8. LITTLE SPACE if space is tight, there is only just enough space to fit something into a place
be a tight squeeze/fit
Six in the car will be a tight squeeze.
9. NOT GENEROUS informal not generous, or trying hard to avoid spending money:
Don’t be so tight!
10. CLOSE TOGETHER placed or standing closely together:
The animal’s body was curled up in a tight little ball.
She wore her hair in a tight bun.
11. CLOSE RELATIONSHIP a tight group of people, countries etc have a close relationship with each other SYN tight-knit:
Together, the young film-makers formed a tight group.
the tight bonds that had grown between them
12. BEND/TURN a tight bend or turn is very curved and turns quickly in another direction:
Danny lost control on a tight bend, and the car ran off the road.
13. CHEST/STOMACH/THROAT if your chest, stomach, or throat feels tight, it feels painful and uncomfortable, because you are ill or worried:
Before she went on stage her chest felt tight and her throat hurt.
14. EXPRESSION/SMILE/VOICE a tight expression, smile, or voice shows that you are annoyed or worried SYN tight-lipped:
‘Look, I’m sorry ...,’ she said, forcing a tight smile.
15. DIFFICULT SITUATION in a tight corner/spot informal in a difficult situation:
He’s a good man to have around if ever you’re in a tight corner.
‘Did something go wrong?’ ‘Let’s just say I got into a bit of a tight spot.’
16. PLAY/PERFORMANCE playing a piece of music or giving a performance very exactly and well, without any pauses or mistakes:
The band gave a really tight performance.
a tight, well-rehearsed production
17. GAME/COMPETITION a tight game, competition etc is one in which the teams, players etc play equally well, and it is not easy to win:
The opening quarter of the game was very tight.
18. DRUNK [not before noun] old-fashioned informal drunk
—tightly adverb:
Marie held the baby tightly in her arms.
—tightness noun [uncountable]
⇨ ↑airtight, ↑watertight
• • •
THESAURUS
■ rule/law/system
▪ strict a strict order or rule is one that must be obeyed: There are strict rules about keeping tax records. | He had strict instructions to return the key to me.
▪ tight tight controls or limits are very strict about what is allowed and what is not allowed: The report recommends tighter controls on the advertising of alcohol. | There are tight regulations governing waste disposal.
▪ tough tough laws or rules are very strict: They want tougher laws against drinking and driving. | The federal government is introducing tough new rules on immigration.
▪ harsh harsh punishments or laws are very severe, often too severe: There are harsh penalties for drug trafficking. | The government has brought in harsh measures to combat the rioting taking place in many cities.
▪ stringent controlling what people can do with rules that have very high standards: There are now stringent controls on pollution from all power stations. | stringent new food safety regulations

clean

I. clean¹ S2 W2 /kliːn/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative cleaner, superlative cleanest)
[Word Family: noun: ↑cleaner, ↑cleaning, ↑cleanliness, ↑clean, ↑cleanser; verb: ↑clean, ↑cleanse; adverb: ↑clean, ↑cleanly; adjective: ↑clean ≠ ↑unclean]
[Language: Old English; Origin: clæne]
1. NOT DIRTY without any dirt, marks etc OPP dirty:
Are your hands clean?
clean towels
Make sure you keep the wound clean.
Wipe that sink clean when you’re done.
As usual, she left her room clean and tidy before going to school.
a spotlessly clean kitchen
I want you to get those plates as clean as a whistle.
2. PEOPLE/ANIMALS having a clean appearance and habits:
Cats are naturally clean.
3. ENVIRONMENT containing or producing nothing that is dirty or harmful ⇨ cleanly
clean air/water/energy etc
the Clean Air Act
cleaner fuels
4. FAIR OR LEGAL
a) done in a fair or legal way OPP dirty:
a clean fight
b) showing that you have followed the rules:
a clean driving licence
He’s got a clean record.
c) [not before noun] informal not hiding any weapons or illegal drugs:
They searched him, but he was clean.
d) [not before noun] no longer taking illegal drugs:
Dave’s been clean for two years now.
5. NOT OFFENSIVE talk, jokes, behaviour etc that are clean are not offensive or about sex OPP dirty:
Oh, don’t get mad – it’s just good clean fun!
Keep it clean (=do not offend people with what you say).
clean living (=a way of life which is healthy and moral)
6. come clean informal to finally tell the truth about something you have been hiding
come clean about
The government should come clean about its plans.
7. make a clean breast of it to admit that you have done something wrong so that you no longer feel guilty
8. a clean break
a complete and sudden separation from a person, organization, or situation:
Den left the next day, needing to make a clean break.
9. clean sheet/slate a record of someone’s work, behaviour, performance etc that shows they have not done anything wrong or made any mistakes:
Jed looked forward to starting life again with a clean sheet.
Lewis has kept a clean sheet in every game (=not let the other team score).
10. clean hands if a person, government, organization etc has clean hands, they have done something in a fair or legal way:
Neither side is coming to the negotiating table with completely clean hands.
11. PAPER a piece of paper that is clean has not yet been used SYN fresh
12. SMOOTH having a smooth or regular edge or surface ⇨ cleanly:
a clean cut
Use a clean simple typeface for signs.
13. a clean bill of health a report that says you are healthy or that a machine or building is safe:
Inspectors gave the factory a clean bill of health.
14. a clean sweep
a) a very impressive victory in a competition, election etc
a clean sweep for
All the polls had pointed to a clean sweep for the Democrats.
Hopes that the French would make a clean sweep at the Games were dashed.
b) a complete change in a company or organization, often by removing people
15. TASTE having a fresh pleasant taste:
Add a little lemon juice to give the pasta a cool clean taste.
16. clean copy a piece of writing without mistakes or other marks written on it
17. MOVEMENT a clean movement in sport is skilful and exact:
He steadied his arm, hoping for a clean shot.
—cleanness noun [uncountable]
⇨ ↑clean-cut, ⇨ keep your nose clean at ↑nose¹(9)
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ nouns
▪ clean clothes He had a shower and changed into clean clothes.
▪ a clean shirt/sheet/towel etc Where are all my clean socks?
▪ clean hands Make sure you have clean hands before you eat.
■ verbs
▪ keep something clean You should always keep your kitchen clean.
▪ wipe something clean (=use a cloth to clean a surface) He started to wipe the blackboard clean.
▪ sweep/scrub something clean (=use a brush to clean something) She quickly swept the floor clean.
▪ leave something clean Please leave the apartment clean when you go.
■ adverbs
▪ spotlessly/scrupulously clean (=very clean) Hospitals must be kept scrupulously clean.
▪ squeaky clean (=completely clean) I like my hair to be squeaky clean.
■ phrases
▪ nice and clean (=clean) Their job is to keep the streets nice and clean.
▪ clean and tidy especially BrE: I insist my children keep their rooms clean and tidy.
▪ neat and clean especially AmE: Her kids were always neat and clean.
▪ clean as a whistle (=very clean) The place was clean as a whistle.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ clean without any dirt or marks: They need clean water to drink. | I don’t have any clean clothes.
▪ pure water or air that is pure does not contain any dirt, pollution, or bacteria: I breathed in the pure mountain air.
▪ sterile /ˈsteraɪl $ -rəl/ completely clean, with no bacteria, and therefore safe for medical or scientific use: Place a sterile bandage on the wound. | sterile needles
▪ spotless completely clean – used mainly about rooms and clothes: Her kitchen is always spotless.
▪ pristine /ˈprɪstiːn/ completely clean and new-looking: He wore a pristine white shirt.
▪ immaculate as clean and tidy as it is possible to be: The soldiers’ uniforms have to be immaculate.
▪ spick and span [not before noun] informal clean and tidy, especially after having just been cleaned: By the end of the day, the whole place was spick and span.

small

I. small¹ S1 W1 /smɔːl $ smɒːl/ BrE AmE adjective (comparative smaller, superlative smallest)
[Language: Old English; Origin: smæl]
1. SIZE not large in size or amount:
a small piece of paper
a small car
a small town
a small dark woman
The T-shirt was too small for him.
The sweater comes in three sizes – small, medium, and large.
Only a relatively small number of people were affected.
a small amount of money
A much smaller proportion of women are employed in senior positions.
2. NOT IMPORTANT a small problem, job, mistake etc is not important or does not have a large effect SYN minor:
We may have to make a few small changes.
There’s been a small problem.
There’s only a small difference between them.
It was good to feel we had helped in some small way.
3. no small degree/achievement/task etc a large degree, achievement etc:
The success of the project is due in no small measure to the work of Dr Peterson.
That is no small achievement in the circumstances.
4. YOUNG a small child is young:
She has three small children.
I’ve known him since he was a small boy.
5. small business/firm/farmer etc a business that does not involve large amounts of money or does not employ a large number of people:
grants for small businesses
6. LETTER small letters are letters in the form a, b, c etc rather than A, B, C etc SYN lower case OPP capital
7. conservative with a small 'c'/democrat with a small 'd' etc informal someone who believes in the principles you have mentioned, but does not belong to an organized group or political party
8. VOICE a small voice is quiet and soft:
‘What about me?’ she asked in a small voice.
9. look/feel small to seem or feel stupid, unimportant, or ashamed:
She jumped at any opportunity to make me look small.
10. (it’s a) small world especially spoken used to express surprise when you unexpectedly meet someone you know or find out that someone has an unexpected connection to you:
Did you know David went to school with my brother? It’s a small world, isn’t it?
11. a small fortune a large amount of money
cost/spend/pay a small fortune
It must have cost him a small fortune.
12. small change coins of low value:
I didn’t have any small change for the parking meter.
13. be thankful/grateful for small mercies/favours to be pleased that a bad situation is not even worse:
She wasn’t too badly hurt, so we should be thankful for small mercies.
14. the small hours (also the wee small hours British English) the early morning hours, between about one and four o'clock
in/into the small hours
He finally fell exhausted into bed in the small hours.
The party continued into the wee small hours.
15. small arms guns that you hold with one or both hands when firing them
16. something is small potatoes (also something is small beer British English) informal used to say that someone or something is not important, especially when compared to other people or things:
Even with £10,000 to invest, you are still small beer for most investment managers.
—small adverb:
He writes so small I can’t read it.
—smallness noun [uncountable]
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ small not large in size, amount, or effect: a small boat | small businesses | a small amount of money | small changes
▪ little [usually before noun] small – used about objects, places, and living things. Used especially with other adjectives to show how you feel about someone or something: It’s a very pretty little town. | The poor little dog has hurt its leg. | The cake was decorated with little flowers.
▪ low used about prices, rents, levels, or standards: People on low incomes are finding it difficult to pay fuel bills. | The crime rate in the area is relatively low.
▪ slight [usually before noun] small and not very important or not very noticeable: a slight problem | There’s been a slight improvement in his health. | a slight increase in sales
▪ minor small and not important or not serious: minor injuries | We’ve made some minor changes to the program.
▪ compact small – used about places, buildings etc in which space is used effectively, or about phones, cameras, cars etc which are designed to be much smaller than usual: The apartments are very compact. | a compact camera | It is a pleasant and compact city.
▪ poky especially British English used about a room, house etc that is too small: a poky bedroom | a poky flat
▪ cramped used about a space, room, or vehicle that is too small because people do not have enough room to move around: They all lived together in a cramped apartment. | The car feels cramped with four adults in it.
■ very small
▪ tiny very small – used about objects, numbers, or amounts: a tiny island | Dairy foods provide your body with a tiny amount of vitamin D.
▪ teeny informal very small - used for emphasis: I'll just have a teeny bit of cream. | There's just one teeny little problem. | a teeny little house
▪ minute extremely small and extremely difficult to see or notice: They found minute traces of poison in his body. | The differences are minute. | minute creatures
▪ miniature a miniature camera, watch, railway etc is made in a very small size. A miniature horse, dog etc is bred to be a very small size: The spy used a miniature camera. | the fashion for miniature pets
▪ microscopic extremely small and impossible to see without special equipment: microscopic organisms | microscopic particles of dust
▪ minuscule /ˈmɪnəskjuːl, ˈmɪnɪskjuːl/ extremely small in a surprising way: She was wearing a minuscule bikini. | The threat from terrorism is minuscule compared to other risks in our lives.
▪ itty-bitty/itsy-bitsy [only before noun] American English informal very small: An itty-bitty little bug crawled across his forehead. | We stayed at some itty-bitty hotel in a back street.

brown

I. brown¹ S2 W2 /braʊn/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English; Origin: brun]
1. having the colour of earth, wood, or coffee:
dark brown hair
2. having skin that has been turned brown by the sun:
He’d been on vacation and looked very brown.
He was as brown as a berry after two weeks in the sun.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ types of brown
▪ light/pale brown a light brown jacket
▪ dark/deep brown dark brown eyes
▪ warm brown a warm brown shade
▪ rich brown a rich brown colour
▪ reddish brown The earth was reddish brown.
▪ golden brown Cook until the cheese is golden brown.
▪ rusty brown (=an orange-brown colour) It was autumn and the leaves were already rusty brown.
▪ muddy brown the muddy brown water of the river
▪ chestnut brown (=a red-brown colour) a beautiful chestnut brown horse
▪ chocolate brown He was wearing a chocolate brown pullover.
II. brown² BrE AmE noun [uncountable and countable]
the colour of earth, wood, or coffee:
This particular model is available in brown, white, or grey.
the browns and greens of the landscape

II. purple² BrE AmE adjective
1. having a dark colour that is a mixture of red and blue
2. purple with rage/purple in the face etc with a face that is dark red, caused by anger:
His face turned purple with rage.
3. purple patch a time when you are very successful – used especially in news reports:
Steve’s purple patch continued with a second victory on Tuesday.
4. purple prose/passage writing that uses difficult or unusual words – used in order to show disapproval

second

I. sec‧ond¹ S1 W1 /ˈsekənd/ BrE AmE number
1. the second person, thing, event etc is the one that comes after the first:
the Second World War
the second of August
a second year student
his second wife
Clinton’s second term in office
the second half of the year
the second time in three days
2. the position in a competition or scale that comes after the one that is the best, most successful etc:
She won second prize.
They climbed to second place in the League.
second largest/most successful etc
Africa’s second highest mountain
be second only to something (=used to emphasize that something is nearly the largest, most important etc)
The euro will have a circulation second only to that of the dollar.
3. another example of the same thing, or another in addition to the one you have:
We advertised for a second guitarist.
There was a second reason for his dismissal.
I asked the doctor for a second opinion (=when you ask another person to repeat an examination, test etc for you).
4. every second year/person/thing etc
a) the second, then the fourth, then the sixth year etc:
The nurse comes every second day.
b) used to emphasize that, in a group of similar things, there is too much of one particular thing:
Every second house seemed to be boarded up.
5. be second to none to be the best:
The quality of Britain’s overseas aid programme is second to none.
6. second chance help given to someone who has failed, in the hope that they will succeed this time:
I just want to give these kids a second chance.
7. have second thoughts to start having doubts about a decision you have made:
You’re not having second thoughts, are you?
have second thoughts about
She’d had second thoughts about the whole project.
8. on second thoughts British English, on second thought American English spoken used to say that you have changed your mind about something:
I’ll call her tomorrow – no, on second thought, I’ll try now.
9. not give something a second thought/without a second thought used to say that someone does not think or worry about something:
She dismissed the rumour without a second thought.
10. not give something a second glance/look (also without a second glance/look) to not look at something again, because you have not really noticed it or because it does not seem important:
No one gave the woman in the grey uniform a second glance.
11. be/become second nature (to somebody) something that is second nature to you is something you have done so often that you do it almost without thinking:
Driving becomes second nature after a while.
12. second wind a new feeling of energy after you have been working or exercising very hard, and had thought you were too tired to continue:
He got his second wind and ran on.

first

I. first¹ S1 W1 /fɜːst $ fɜːrst/ BrE AmE adjective
[Language: Old English; Origin: fyrst]
1. IN A SERIES coming before all the other things or people in a series:
Ella was his first girlfriend.
the first thing/time/day etc
The first time I flew on a plane I was really nervous.
In the first year, all students take five courses.
He said the first thing that came into his head.
the first step towards achieving a peace agreement
There’s a meeting on the first Monday of every month.
the first two/three/few etc
I only read the first two chapters of the book.
It rained during the first few days of the trip.
The first and last mountain I climbed was Mount Rundle (=it was the only mountain I ever climbed).
2. for the first time used to say that something has never happened or been done before:
For the first time in his life he felt truly happy.
The survey revealed that, for the first time, there are more women in the workplace than men.
Not for the first time she wondered how he coped with so many children.
3. MAIN most important:
Our first priority is to maintain the standard of work.
As I see it, my first responsibility is to my family.
4. in the first place
a) used to talk about the beginning of a situation, or the situation before something happened:
Why did you agree to meet her in the first place?
He wouldn’t have given you the job in the first place if he didn’t think you could do it.
b) written used to give the first in a list of reasons or points:
Her success was secured by two factors. In the first place, she had the support of managers.
5. in the first instance formal at the start of a situation or series of actions:
The appointment of research officer will be for two years in the first instance.
Enquiries should be made in the first instance to the Human Resources Director.
6. at first glance/sight the first time that you look at someone or something, before you notice any details:
At first glance the twins look identical.
At first sight, there didn’t appear to be much damage. ⇨ love at first sight at ↑love²(2)
7. first things first used to say that something should be done or dealt with first because it is the most important
8. (at) first hand if you see, experience, hear etc something at first hand, you see, experience etc it yourself, not through other people:
Many people have seen the horrors of war at first hand. ⇨ ↑first-hand
9. first prize/place the prize that is given to the best person or thing in a competition
win/take first prize
She won first prize in a painting competition.
first prize/place of
There is a first prize of £10,000.
10. first choice the thing or person you like best:
John was our first choice as a name for the baby.
11. first thing as soon as you get up in the morning, or as soon as you start work:
I’ll call you first thing tomorrow.
We’re leaving first thing.
12. at first light literary very early in the morning:
The search will resume at first light tomorrow.
13. make the first move to be the person who starts to do something when someone else is too nervous, embarrassed etc to do it:
He was glad she had made the first move and kissed him.
14. not have the first idea about something (also not know/understand the first thing about something) to not know anything about a subject, or not know how to do something:
I wouldn’t have the first idea about what to do in that situation.
I don’t know the first thing about cars.
15. the first flush of something the beginning of a good period of time when you are young, successful etc
be in the first flush of passion/youth etc
He was no longer in the first flush of youth.
The first flush of enthusiasm had passed.
16. JOB TITLE used in the title of someone’s job or position to show that they have a high rank:
the first officer
the First Lord of the Admiralty
17. first among equals officially on the same level as other people but really having more power
18. of the first water old-fashioned of the highest quality

home

I. home¹ S1 W1 /həʊm $ hoʊm/ BrE AmE noun
[Word Family: adjective: homeless, homely, homeward; noun: home, homelessness; adverb: home, HOMEWARDS; verb: home]
[Language: Old English; Origin: ham 'village, home']
1. PLACE WHERE YOU LIVE [uncountable and countable] the house, apartment, or place where you live:
They have a beautiful home in California.
Good luck in your new home!
at home
Last night we stayed at home and watched TV.
away from home
He was spending more and more time away from home.
work from/at home (=do your work at home instead of at a company office)
A family of birds made their home (=started living) under the roof.
2. FAMILY [uncountable and countable] the place where a child lived with his or her family:
Jack left home when he was 16.
Were you still living at home (=with your parents)?
Carrie moved out of the family home a year ago.
3. WHERE YOU CAME FROM/BELONG [uncountable and countable] the place where you came from or where you usually live, especially when this is the place where you feel happy and comfortable:
She was born in Italy, but she’s made Charleston her home.
back home
The folks back home don’t really understand what life is like here.
4. YOUR COUNTRY [uncountable] the country where you live, as opposed to foreign countries
at home
auto sales at home and abroad
back home
He’s been travelling, but he’s kept up with what’s going on back home.
5. be/feel at home
a) to feel comfortable in a place or with a person
be/feel at home in/with
I’m already feeling at home in the new apartment.
After a while we began to feel at home with each other.
b) to feel happy or confident about doing or using something
be/feel at home with/in
Practise using the video until you feel quite at home with it.
6. PROPERTY [countable] a house, apartment etc considered as property which you can buy or sell:
Attractive modern homes for sale.
7. FOR TAKING CARE OF SOMEBODY [countable] a place where people who are very old or sick, or children who have no family, are looked after:
an old people’s home
I could never put Dad into a home. ⇨ CHILDREN’S HOME, ↑nursing home, ↑rest home
8. make yourself at home spoken used to tell someone who is visiting you that they should relax:
Sit down and make yourself at home.
9. make somebody feel at home to make someone feel relaxed by being friendly towards them:
We like to make our customers feel at home.
10. the home of something
a) the place where something was first discovered, made, or developed:
America is the home of baseball.
b) the place where a plant or animal grows or lives:
India is the home of elephants and tigers.
11. SPORTS TEAM at home if a sports team plays at home, they play at their own sports field OPP away
at home to
Birmingham Bullets are at home to Kingston.
12. home from home British English, home away from home American English a place that you think is as pleasant and comfortable as your own house
13. home sweet home used to say how nice it is to be in your own home
14. dogs’/cats’ home British English a place where animals with no owners are looked after
15. find a home for something British English to find a place where something can be kept:
Can you find a home for the piano?
16. what’s that when it’s at home? British English spoken used humorously to ask what a long or unusual word means
17. GAMES [uncountable] a place in some games or sports which a player must try to reach in order to win a point
⇨ ↑home plate, ↑home run
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COLLOCATIONS (for Meanings 1 & 2)
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + home
▪ a secure/stable home (=a caring family without a lot of changes) He had grown up in a stable home.
▪ a happy home (=a happy family) We had a happy home.
▪ a broken home (=a family in which the parents have separated) Many of the youngsters came from broken homes.
▪ the family home (=where a family lives) The house was once the family home of the O'Dare family.
▪ the marital home (=where a husband and wife live) He left the marital home to move in with his lover.
▪ sb’s childhood/boyhood etc home (=where you lived as a child) I had not been back to my childhood home for ten years.
▪ a permanent/temporary home Flood victims were offered temporary homes.
■ verbs
▪ live at home (=live with your parents) More people in their twenties are still living at home because housing is so expensive.
▪ leave home (=stop living with your parents at home) Lisa had left home at age 16.
▪ work from/at home (=do your work at home instead of at an office) I work at home three days a week.
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ home the house, apartment, or place where you live: More and more people are working from home. | It was past midnight by the time I got home.
▪ house a building that someone lives in, especially a building intended for one person, couple, or family: Shall we meet at your house? | Have you seen Dave’s new house – it’s huge!
▪ place spoken informal the house, apartment, or room where someone lives: We went to Sara’s place after the movie. | He’s just bought a fantastic place right by the sea.
▪ residence formal the house or apartment where someone lives, especially a large or official one: The Prime Minister’s official residence is 10 Downing Street. | His wife transferred her main residence to Spain.
▪ holiday home British English, vacation home American English a house that someone owns by the sea, in the mountains etc, where they go for their holidays: They bought a luxury holiday home in Spain.